Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) on the Final Purification, or Purgatory:

1030 All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.

1031 The Church gives the name Purgatory to this final purification of the elect, which is entirely different from the punishment of the damned. The Church formulated her doctrine of faith on Purgatory especially at the councils of Florence and Trent. The tradition of the Church, by reference to certain texts of Scripture, speaks of a cleansing fire:

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​As for certain lesser faults, we must believe that, before the Final Judgment, there is a purifying fire. He Who is truth says that whoever utters blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will be pardoned neither in this age or in the age to come. From this sentence we understand that certain offenses can be forgiven in this age, but certain others in the age to come.

1032  This teaching is also based on the practice of prayer for the dead already mentioned in Sacred Scripture: "Therefore, [Judas Maccabeus] made atonement for the dead, that they might be delivered from their sin." From the beginning, the Church has honored the memory of the dead and offered prayers in suffrage for them, above all the Eucharistic sacrifice, so that, thus purified, they may attain the beatific vision of God. The Church also commends almsgiving, indulgences, and works of penance undertaken on behalf of the dead:

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​Let us help and commemorate them. If Job's sons were purified by their father's sacrifice, why would we doubt that our offerings for the dead bring them some consolation? Let us not hesitate to help those who have died and to offer our prayers for them.

Click here to access the entire online version of the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

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​+ Litany for the Holy Souls in Purgatory +

O Jesus, Thou suffered and died that all mankind might be saved and brought to eternal happiness.  Hear our pleas for further mercy on the souls of:

• My dear parents and grandparents, my Jesus mercy!
• My brothers and sisters and other near relatives, my Jesus mercy!
• My godparents and sponsors of Confirmation, my Jesus mercy!
• My spiritual and temporal benefactors, my Jesus mercy!
• My friends and neighbors, my Jesus mercy!
  
  
• All for whom love or duty bids me pray, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who have suffered disadvantage or harm through me, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who have offended me, my Jesus mercy!
• Those whose release is near at hand, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who desire most to be united to Thee, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who endure the greatest sufferings, my Jesus mercy!
• Those whose release is most remote, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who are least remembered, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who are most deserving on account of their services to the Church, my Jesus mercy!
  
  
• The rich, who now are the most destitute, my Jesus mercy!
• The mighty, who now are powerless, my Jesus mercy!
• The once spiritually blind, who now see their folly, my Jesus mercy!
• The frivolous, who spent their time in idleness, my Jesus mercy!
• The poor, who did not seek the treasures of heaven, my Jesus mercy!
• The tepid, who devoted little time to prayer, my Jesus mercy!
• The indolent, who neglected to perform good works, my Jesus mercy!
• Those of little faith, who neglected the frequent reception of the Sacraments, my Jesus mercy!
• The habitual sinners, who owe their salvation to a miracle of grace, my Jesus mercy!
• Parents who failed to watch over their children, my Jesus mercy!
• Superiors who were not solicitous for the salvation of those entrusted to them, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who strove for worldly riches and pleasures, my Jesus mercy!
• The worldly-minded, who failed to use their wealth and talents in the service of God, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who witnessed the death of others, but would not think of their own, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who did not provide for the life hereafter, my Jesus mercy!
• Those whose sentence is severe because of the great things entrusted to them, my Jesus mercy!
  
  
• The popes, kings and rulers, my Jesus mercy!
• The bishops and their counselors, my Jesus mercy!
• My teachers and spiritual advisors, my Jesus mercy!
• The priests and religious of the Catholic Church, my Jesus mercy!
• The defenders of the holy faith, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who died on the battlefield, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who fought for their country, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who were buried in the sea, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who died of apoplexy, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who died of heart attacks, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who suffered and died of cancer, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who died suddenly in accidents, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who died without the last rites of the Church, my Jesus mercy!
• Those who shall die within the next twenty-four hours, my Jesus mercy!
• My own poor soul when I shall have to appear before Thy judgment seat, my Jesus mercy!

Let us pray:
Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon them: For evermore with Thy saints, because Thou art gracious. May the prayer of Thy suppliant people, we beseech Thee, O Lord, benefit the souls of Thy departed servants and handmaids: that Thou mayest both deliver them from all their sins, and make them to be partakers of Thy redemption. Amen.

Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord. And let perpetual light shine on them. Amen.

​May their souls and the souls of all the faithful departed through the Mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.